http://www.calvaryhillsboro.org/

Thank you for supporting Calvary Hillsboro. Donate Online: https://www.calvaryhillsboro.org/members/online-giving

Subscribe To Watch More: https://www.youtube.com/c/CalvaryChapelHillsboro

Thank you for watching. God bless you and your family!
We would love to hear your comments and please like and share this video.

2020 has been quite a year.
2. As we reflect on 2020, perhaps you are like me, burdened; burdened for our nation, burdened our community, burdened for our families, especially for our children and grandchildren.
3. But I also find myself burdened for us, the church, because I sense many are disheartened and disillusioned by what has transpired, and uncertain about what lies around the bend.
4. Where can we find comfort and hope in a world filled with unrest and uncertainty?

ILLUS – A valuable lesson from my motorcycle safety instructor is a helpful reminder in times like these, “Look where you want your motorcycle to go.”

5. Hebrews 12:1-2 makes the same point but from a Christ-centered perspective.

Hebrews 12:1-2, . . . let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith

6. So that is exactly what we will do tonight, fix our eyes on Jesus.
7. During our study of Luke 2:21-40, we look at the examples of two godly saints and discover how fixing our eyes on Jesus will transform our lives and put a new song in our hearts.

Luke 2:21-40

Context
1. Since the Fall, all creation has been expectantly watching and waiting for the Messiah, the One who would make right what became so terribly wrong because of Adam’s sin.
2. In Luke 2:7, we are told the long-awaited Messiah has come to the world, conceived by the Holy Spirt, born of a virgin, the very Son of God.
3. Eight days after His birth, the Child was named Jesus in keeping with the angel Gabriel’s command to Mary in Luke 1:31.
a. The name Jesus means “Yahweh saves.”
b. It is a fitting name for the Child because it is a revelation of the His person and work.
o Jesus is God the Son.
o Jesus is the Savior of the world.
4. After the Child was named, He was circumcised in keeping with the command given to Abraham in Genesis 17:12.
5. Two more rites were required by the Mosaic Law which took place 40 days after Jesus’ birth.
6. First, Jesus was presented to God at the Temple because every first-born male belonged to the Lord. To “redeem” or “buy back” the Child, the parents were required to pay five shekels according to Numbers 18:15-16.
7. Second, Leviticus 12:1-8 required Mary to present herself at the Temple and offer a burnt offering and a sin offering for her purification after giving birth.
8. Since Joseph and Mary were poor, they offered a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
9. While at the Temple, Mary and Joseph were greeted by two godly saints who were led by the Holy Spirit to testify about Jesus, their names were Simeon and Anna.
10. Their testimonies about Jesus left a lasting impression upon Mary, she treasured and pondered what they said in her heart.
11. Likely, Mary shared the events of that day at the Temple with Dr. Luke.

Transition – Simeon and Anna’s testimonies are profound because their lives were profound.
• Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Luke recorded important details about each saint because there is much for us to learn from them and how they lived their lives.
• Simeon and Anna lived in the darkest of days, but they shined brightly because they fixed their eyes rightly on the coming of Messiah.

I. Expectantly Look for the Return of Jesus

• Simeon and Anna longed for and looked for the first coming of Messiah.
• Like Simeon and Anna, we must expectantly look for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
• The Bible is filled with many reminders to fix our eyes on the return of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:20, For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ

Titus 2:13, . . . looking for the blessed hope and the
appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus

– Why is it important to fix our eyes on Christ’s return?

Pastor Rich Jones
Pastor Matthew Dodd
Rich Jones Calvary Chapel
Calvary Chapel Worship Center
Calvary Chapel Hillsboro
Calvary Chapel Oregon
Calvary Chapel Beaverton
Calvary Chapel Portland

Tags:
Pastor Rich Jones
Pastor Matthew Dodd
Rich Jones
Matthew Dodd

Rich Jones Church, Rich Jones Christian, Rich Jones Christian Church, Rich Jones Bible Study, Pastor Rich Jones Faith, Rich Jones Teaching, Rich Jones Bible Teacher, Rich Jones Bible Verse, Rich Jones Transformation, Rich Jones Salvation, Rich Jones Truth, Rich Jones Sermons, Rich Jones Calvary Chapel, Calvary Chapel Worship Center, Calvary Chapel Hillsboro, Calvary Chapel Beaverton, Calvary Chapel Portland, Calvary Chapel Oregon